Nădlac, I was kind of startled by the sudden appearance of a
bicycle as it came up upon me.
This is generally not an issue as pedestrians are usually warned
by the actual bicycles themselves as they approach. If by or not
by intention, it is always apparent that there is someone peddling
away. You can hear a chain rubbing or some other parts
squeaking, and so on.
So, as I was going to cross the street it appeared in the corner
of my eye, a bicycle in what seemed to be in stealth mode. I
surprised to see a person locomoting ( I don't think it is a word,
but it fits the scene) a long distance without peddling
a lick.
A minute was needed to observe that this wasn't just, a bike.
Nope not just a bike indeed ... it was an electric bike.
The first one I had seen in action.
So, I inquired around and people mentioned that some of the
residents are buying these electric bicycles from the small cities
over the border in Hungary. The cities are named Makko and
Szeged.
The reason being that they are less expensive there.
OK, for a few weeks I keep seeing these shiny new bikes
cruise by with the people just calm and as relaxed as can be.
I did run into a lady I know who purchased one of them so I
asked her a few questions about her new electric bike ....
shown below.
These are actually a quite nifty way to get around in
an economic and environmentally friendly manner.
The bike itself costs somewhere around 200 Euro and
as of this posting ... 295 USD.
The characteristics of the bike are quite good. The
average distance that a fully charged battery would
provide is somewhere in the vicinity of 18 to 20 miles.
We could think of it as better mileage or equal to what
an SUV would produce with a gallon of gasoline.
Also, if the battery dies on you ... just start peddling.
The approximate life of a battery is somewhere between
1 to 1 and a half years. The cost of a replacment battery?
I don't know. But I do know that it takes about 4 to 6
hours to recharge a dead battery. If there is a mini solar
panel to recharge, then it is for free.
As far as driving goes, it is similar to a regular motorcycle
or moped. Just have to turn the ride side handle grip ...
and away one goes, quite smartly I might add.
I read that China has millions of these electric bikes.
There is a criticism (there always is about everything,
good or bad) as it concerns China, that is the
disposing of the old batteries. Of course, there has
to be places and people prepared to deal with such
toxic substances.
Despite that, there is just so much upside to these
electric bicycles. First, not expensive to purchase.
Doesn't use any fluids ... gasoline, brake fluid, motor
oil, transmission fluid or anti-freeze.
Sounds pretty cost effective, to me.
Other positives are that it doesn't create hydrocarbons,
is quiet, which reduces noise pollution. It requires
less space and helps reduce traffic jams.
Yeah, it isn't for all people, especially those who have
to travel more than the bicycles battery power would
provide.
But what about those trips to the store for milk or
other running around town errands?
In the world of escalating fuel prices (and prices in
general) I think that this electric bike is great choice
... for locomoting.
